This article appears in the August 2016 issue of Potato Grower.
In this installment of the Smorgasbord, we take a look at Huckleberry Gold, a unique specialty variety that is high in antioxidants and has a low glycemic index. Huckleberry Gold was previously discussed in the cover story of Potato Grower’s May 2016 issue, titled “Golden Opportunity.” With help from Jeanne Debons and the rest of our friends at the Potato Vareity Management Institute, we’re taking a closer look at this exciting new variety. Visit www.pvmi.org to learn more.
Key Attributes
- Purple skin with yellow flesh
- Excellent fresh-pack characteristics
- Low glycemic index
- Medium to early maturity
- Excellent culinary qualities
History
- Developed by the Northwest (Tri-State) Potato Variety Development Program
- Released in 2012; PVP granted in 2013
- Parentage: Agria × COA94019-5R
Management
- Narrow seed piece spacing and bed planting improve size uniformity
- Compared to Yukon Gold, less susceptible to Verticillium wilt, potato virus Y, PLRV net necrosis, tuber late blight, and foliar early blight
- More susceptible to tuber early blight than Yukon Gold
- Moderately resistant to common scab and dry rot
- Very resistant to golden potato cyst nematode and potato virus X
- Produced higher total yields and yields of tubers smaller than 6 ounces in Northwest trials
- Comparable fresh-pack merit ratings to Yukon Gold, including culinary evaluations for boiling, baking and microwaving
- Tuber dormancy about 20 days longer than Yukon Gold
- Skin color can fade over time in storage.
Seed Production
- Only a few acres are currently in seed production, but this is expected to increase dramatically during the next few years.